Daily Republican. [volume] ([Wilmington, Del.]) 1874-1890, 1887-02-24
THIRD EDITION.
An Hour win an Actor.

IulnO EOIllUNsl
An Hour with nm Actor.
Mr.. w. T. Stephens, OF the Gray anc
5tepheus Combination, Waited the
Court House yesterday morning in COM
pany with Dr. Snitcher, and while
there was met by o reporter OF the he
who had quite an Interest
ing conversation with him in reference
70 his company. Minnie Oscar Gray,
who sustains the leading characters, AND
has proved such . popular favofite, Isl
OF Irish percentage, being the daughterl
of DIR. Morrison, the celebrated Euro
pean surgeon of Dublin, Ireland. Shel
received fret class education, but ~
her inclinations were for professional.
life, she some years ago commenced II
course Of tuition under the celebrated
comedian John T Raymond, and maot
her first appearance with him in SAvan-
nah Georgia. Mr.. Stephens has been
on the stage himself for number oil
yeare, but owing TO i'll health Ia not
taking an active part at present, further
than to have general supervision over
the business OF the company.
Mr.. Stephens says that he has been
very careful in selecting his company,
and that they are all ladies and gentle
men of good families, occupying high
social positions in the places where
their homes are located, uiand," he re
marked with perceptible pride, there
Ia not . man In the company addicted
to strong drink" Last summer MI
Stephens and his wife visited Europe
with the hope of regaining his health,
and also for the purpose of SIX ht seeing,
and while there was offered an engage
ment Of twelve weeks for his company
ut one of the principal theatres In Lon
don. The conversation then turned on
the dogs, q subject on which MI. Ste
phens is an enthusiast, and in answer
to question by the reporter In rsferenc CT
to the manner OF training them, be
said "No, sir, never whip them, and
will give Thousand dollars TO any mar
or woman who can truthfully say tina
they ever saw me strike one OF the dog'
while was training 1t. I treat then
with the greatest kindness, and impress
on them what 1 wish them to do By
suiting the action to the word OF com
mand; but it's not exactly comnan'
either, as l requ est them to do what
wish, until they learn to do 1t them
selves, and the proper tinae to do 1t
"Why, Mr.. Stephens, said the rt
porter, "you would almost lead me
think that you believe dogs are giite
with human intelligence"
II sometimes think they are" he re
piled, iand IL Ia certain that they pos
sess something more than snimnl In
stinct; why there's Hero, the one tina
digs up the box Of jewels in the fourt
act Of without Home" IL is pal
of his dutfes to assist in woI king tfea
mill, which runs the sleigh In the wo
scene, that follows shortly after b
digs Hp the jewels, and havef-eqeuntl
saw him 60 aad take his place on IL
mill without word being spoken
him, all ready for the action OF the Ia
scene"
when do You commence training
doR?" inquired the reporter.
81 always commence when he
about six monshs DID," replied II
Stephens. "and assure you tia: it is
work which takes time and patienc
have three dogs in training Io~, or
OF which is particularly bright, al
although 1t is only ak months old full
understands eleven different words
"a dog will not learn anything wort
speaking about after be ia 8 years old
said Mr.. Stephens, "and / claim
have brought the dog dramatic busine
to higher state OF perfection than al
Of my prede cessors
81 suppose, fro N what you have sal
Mr.. Stephens, that you consider t
dogs the greatest attraction OF 20
show" said the reporter.
"Not by any MEANS" he quickly !
piled, "as we consider our scenery a.
mechanical effects equal to those CT
ried by any company. We have Il
carload OF scenery, sDfh oient for DO
our plays, and as 1t was painted
one OF the best artists In his cluntr
we do not think it can be surpassed.
do not claim that our plays possess d ee
intricate plots, but 1 do claim that tn
please and amuse the people, and t
consequence is that we are greeted WI
crowded houses wherever We appear
AS the manager and actor rose to ia
his leave he remarked, laughingly,
you should mention this interview
your paper don't make the mistak,
fellow once did, and say that the W
derful dogs ara supported by strC
company OF frst-class artists, for WI
/ contend that our company is Fl
class In every respect ,anG that W L
three of the best comedians In
country, do rot claim that they :
port the dogs"